My B/R Top 25 (Oct. 6)

1. Oklahoma (previous: 2)

The Sooners are staying focused so far, dispatching Baylor on the road without much incident. This next week, in one of about a dozen "Games of the Century" this year, the Sooners face hated rival No. 3 Texas in the Red River Shootout. The winner is in the driver's seat for the Big 12 South, the Big 12 title, and likely the BCS title game.

2. LSU (previous: 1)

I see that the "Big Boy" polls have caught on to my method of dropping teams a place when they face the almighty BYE. Good for them. ;-) The Bayou Bengals go into the Gator Swamp this weekend. May the fiercer aquatic metaphor prevail...

3. Texas (previous: 3)

Ahhhh, the joys of "Hook 'Em Horns" and "Boomer Sooner." The Big Two (of the Big 12) are baaaaaack... Texas is only as low as No. 3 because they haven't racked up as many "style points" as No. 1 Oklahoma. This weekend's Shootout should be a real "slobber-knocker," as the pro wrestlers say.

Or it could be a blowout...for either of them. As for myself, I'm rooting for five OTs. :-p

4. Alabama (previous: 4)

Some may question why I have the Tide as low as No. 4. I would say in response—look where I put Missouri. ;-) The prancing pachyderms are doing the business but still need to dispel the bitter aftertaste from last year. A three-point win over Kentucky won't suffice. Neither will next week's matchup against BYE.

5. Penn State (previous: 5)

Perhaps JoePa will go out in style and retire after putting yet another national title in the Nittany Lions' trophy room.

BWAAAHAAHAAHOOHEEHAAA!!! RETIRE!?!? *wiping tear from eye* I needed some maniacal laughter there...hee hee...

Next week the "Kings of Happy Valley" travel to suddenly Swiss-cheesy Wisconsin. You go, Joe!

6. Utah (previous: 6)

Almost got caught by Oregon State but hung in there for a quality win and stayed undefeated. May be overrated at No. 6...but if I put Missouri or Texas Tech here, THEY may be overrated too. Advantage: "Da Utes."

7. BYU (previous: 7)

Texted it in against in-state powerhouse *cough* Utah State on Friday. The Cougars see their shutout streak broken and right now look less impressive than Utah. That said, these two mid-majors have a lock on Top 10 places until their showdown Nov. 22, unless they stumble before then.

8. Missouri (previous: 10)

Faced quality opposition for the first time since Illinois. The Tigers spanked Nebraska 52-17 in the Big House in Lincoln, and Nebraska now has a whole 'nother shade of red. So "huzzah" to "Mizzou-rah," they jump two places over the one-loss Gators and Trojans.

Can the Tigers continue their procession against 5-0 Oklahoma State (see No. 19)? Whose creampuff schedule will prove to be the stuff of which "speculative bubbles" are made?

9. Florida (previous: 8)

The Gators beat Arkansas, so why did they drop a spot? Well, it was Arkansas. ;-) Really, though, it was Missouri's thrashing of Nebraska that did it. Now, if the Gators can win at home in the Swamp against No. 2 LSU, they will no doubt leap back over Missouri. Highest-ranked team with a loss (4-1).

10. USC (previous: 9)

Those two games against BYE are coming back to haunt the Trojans. Even a "quack-down" of Oregon last weekend won't help them edge up the rankings if the teams above them keep winning, and the teams right below them continue to impress.

Once the Trojans catch up in terms of games played, they have a better shot of moving up. This week's game against Arizona State is not likely to give them enough oomph to do so, though. Unless the Trojans stumble again, a Rose Bowl rematch vs. Ohio State is looking more likely each week. Second-highest ranked team with a loss (3-1).

11. Ohio State (previous: 11)

The Buckeyes come away from Madison with a tough road win over Wisconsin, which sets up the Oct. 25 game in Columbus against Penn State as a must-see. Pryor continues to learn, and with Wells back, the Bucks have a good shot at the Rose Bowl (but that's it). Third-highest ranked team with a loss (5-1).

12. Texas Tech (previous: 14)

Completely humiliated Kansas State in Manhattan, which is not as impressive as it sounds—Kansas State is a program in trouble. However, the Red Raiders deserve a boost similar to that of No. 8 Missouri. This week they have a home game against Nebraska, which may or may not be harder than the game against Kansas State.

13. Georgia (previous: 12)

Idle paws are the plaything of the pollsters. This week's game against the Tennessee Cheezy Poofs (that orange!) between the hedges should be slightly more difficult than last week's thriller vs. BYE. Fourth-highest ranked team with a loss (4-1).

14. Vanderbilt (previous: 16)

The Fightin' Lionel Richies are for real, folks. Neither the offense nor defense lead in the "sexy" categories such as scoring, but if you want a clue as to why the Commodores keep winning, G**gle "FBS Turnover Margin" or go straight to this link.

Easy as a Sunday mornin'...

15. California (previous: 17)

The Golden Bears benefit from the bloodshed in the middle of the Top 25 and climb two spots. I never dropped them out of the Top 25, and the one loss to Maryland won't hurt them in the conference.

They may yet stumble before facing No. 10 USC on Nov. 8, but until then they deserve the place as "Pac-10 challengers" (however weak that may be). Fifth-highest ranked team with a loss (4-1).

16. Boise State (previous: 20)

Handled mighty Louisiana Tech last week on "WTF Wednesday." The 4-0 Broncos also benefit from the fact that several teams just ahead of them lost. Face a tougher test this week on the road @ C-USA member Southern Miss.

17. Virginia Tech (previous: 22)

The Hokies also benefit from the shake-up in the middle of the Top 25. However, beating Western Kentucky 27-13 isn't going to dazzle anyone. Currently the best team from a rather humdrum ACC. Sixth-highest ranked team with a loss (5-1).

18. Michigan State (previous: NR)

After dropping their first game to No. 15 Cal, the Spartans look more impressive with each passing game. Or should I say *running* game? Javon Ringer is carrying the team's hopes in the crook of his arm.

The Spartans were a bit lucky to come away with a win last week, though. They benefit from the slaughter of the middle-ranking teams last week. This week's game @ No. 23 Northwestern should settle which of the two teams belongs in the Top 25. Seventh-highest ranked team with a loss (5-1).

19. Oklahoma State (previous: NR)

How long will the Cowboys last? Last week they proved that Texas A&M isn't what it once was, but otherwise they've played the baker's favorites (yes, that goes for Washington State, too). This week they travel to No. 8 Missouri. One of these two is going to be exposed, and my guess is it'll be the Cowboys who feel they've been ridden like a pony...

20. Ball State (previous: 24)

How long can the Miracle Minnows of Muncie keep swimming in the Top 25 among the sharks? Not having to PLAY the sharks helps (see No. 6, No. 7, and No. 16). The "Fighting David Lettermans" stomped on Toledo last week, 31-0, and play @ honorary FBS member (No. 120) Western Kentucky this week.

21. North Carolina (previous: NR)

The win against Connecticut, coupled with the win against Miami, is enough to get North Carolina into Connecticut's former spot at No. 21. The Tar Heels' one loss is to No. 17 Virginia Tech. Next week's home game against No. 24 Notre Dame will determine which of these two newcomers stays in the Top 25. Eighth-highest ranked team with a loss (4-1).

22. South Florida (previous: 15)

Guess the Bulls aren't quite ready to plough through the tough Big East (did ya catch that?). Also, Pitt seems to have a knack for the "spoiler" role. Still, USF is the *only* Top 25 team in the conference, thanks to Connecticut's loss.

The Bulls have a week off this week, so they will likely drop a spot. They face Syracuse next on Oct. 18. Ninth-highest ranked team with a loss (5-1).

23. Northwestern (previous: 23)

If they had played, the Wildcats would have jumped up several spots (see No. 18 Michigan State). As it is, they faced the fearsome BYE and should consider themselves lucky they didn't drop a spot.

The home matchup vs. Michigan State this weekend will go a long way to determining whether Northwestern is the Big "11" equivalent of Vanderbilt...or Connecticut.

24. Notre Dame (previous: NR)

Pity points for Charlie Weis' smashed leg, basically. The Golden Domers are winning at home under the gaze of Touchdown! JEE-sus-uh!

However, the Dames can't play all their games at home—unless they can swing a special deal with the BCS. This week's trip to Chapel Hill to face No. 21 North Carolina is only their second road game. Tenth-highest ranked team with a loss (4-1).

25. Wake Forest (previous: 25)

Scraped and clawed their way against BYE last week, and so they remain at No. 25 as two-loss Auburn, Wisconsin, and Oregon, and one-loss Connecticut, tumble past them out of the Top 25. Get the edge (barely) over "bubble team" Tulsa, but the "USC method" of scheduling (two breaks so far) means the Demon Deacons have some catching up to do.

This week, they host Clemson on Thursday in the Papa John's special. Hold the anchovies, please. Eleventh-highest ranked team with a loss (3-1).

Dropped out: No. 13 Auburn (4-2), No. 18 Wisconsin (3-2), No. 19 Oregon (4-2), No. 21 Connecticut (5-1).